Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-18
STARTLING DEATH.
A CITIZEN or OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
VERY SUDDENLY
Death Of o Former Richmondsr-A Police
Escort from Town Fire
Proposed Primary.
rcorrrspondence q the RIchmoad pispa,ch.l

Correspondence Of the Richmond pispatch.l
PETERSBURG, March II, 1897.
Mr.. William Claytor, n citizen OF
Swiit-Creek village, in Chesterfield
county, died very suddenly here about
half-past ~ O'Clock to-day OF heart
disease. Mr.. Clayton was about thirty
eight or forty years old was originally
from Caroline county, but for some
years had been living at Swift Creek.
he leaves widow, but no children. He
was in the employment of the Swift
Creek Manufacturing Company, and
made daily trips to this city to haul
manufactured goods and return with
cotton-bales. he came in as usual to-
day, had loaded his wagon with cotton
at Mossrs. Arlington Sons store, and
stopped at the Office of Fl. i. Plummer,
the agent Of the Swift-Creek Company,
where he announced that his wagon
WAS loaded and that he was ready to
staIt. He was asked to wait a moment
until his tickets could be made ont.
He took a seat, but very soon called for
some liquor, remarking that he believed
he was dying. A messenger ran to the
nearest store for glass OF liquor, but
before he returned Mr.. Clayton had
fallen backward and was past the power
of drinking the stimulant. He died
almost immediately, with nothing more
than q grOan to indicate his suffering
He was a strong, healthy-looking man,
but, it is said, had suffered for some
time from heart affection. He was an
upright and respected citizen.
Mr.. Somervillc Gray, aged about
forty.sevon years, died at his home in
this city last evening. He was origi-
nally from Richmond, where he has
relatives and friends residing. He mar
RED and had been living and engaged
in business here for many years. He
leaves widow and five children. II is
understood that his body will be taken
to Richmond for interment.
David Cornell, a white stranger, was
arrested about 2 o'clock this morning
as a suspicious character. The officer
who made the arrest said the prisoner
had tried the doors of number of
stores on Sycamore street. Hwas sub
sequently ascertained that Cornell had
spent good deal of time recently in
various jails, and that he draws a Gov
eminent pension of So per month for
service in the navy. His Honor Mayor
Jarratt directed him to leave the city at
once, under penalty of imprisonment
as vagrant, and placed him in the Gus
tody of police officers, with instruc-
tons to escort him to the corporate
limits and see that he left town. He
went in the direction of Richmond.
The double tenement-house No. 234
Old street, occupied as a dwelling and
store Ivy Messrs. f. A. and John e.
Sandifer, caught fire from a defective
fue this afternoon, and was damaged
to the extent of some two or three hun
died dollars. The building is owned
by Mrs. Anne Parkinson, and is not in
sured.
The people of Dinwiddie county will
decide at court next Monday whether
or not a primary shall be held for the
nomination of candidates for the various
county Offices
Governor Lees message to the Gene
raj Assembly was read with great in
terest here to-day. ROBIN ADAIR.